Obituary for Sidney Adams Jr.
Sidney (Sid) Adams Jr., gained his second set of wings on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. His first set of wings were earned as a Paratrooper, in the 82nd Airborne Division, US Army.
Sid was a man of many hats…
He was the loving husband to his wife of 26 years, Janine Jacobsen Adams, and father to Phyllis Adams Gay, Rikki Adams and Laura Adams, grandfather to Moorea Adams and a special friend and mentor to Dawn Smith. Sid was previously married to Mary Norris (mother of Phyllis and Rikki) and N. June Kunner (mother of Laura).
Sid valued education, earning his bachelor’s degree from Alcorn State University, Alcorn, Mississippi. He taught at Western Michigan University and was a life-long learner. He never missed an opportunity to take classes, seminars and attend workshops. Sid was a self-taught man, learning upholstery and many others skills that he took with him to the Battle Creek VA Medical Center, where he worked for 34 years managing their rehabilitation department and passed them on to the veterans.
Giving back to his community was paramount to Sid as he was very involved in the leadership and economic development of the Battle Creek area. Throughout many years he served on the Board of Battle Creek Unlimited (a founding member, serving 25 years, may as chairman), the NAACP, the Urban League, Food Bank, Battle Creek Community Foundation, the Enquirer News Editorial Board, Battle Creek Executive Airport Advisory Board, Workforce Development Board, CATC, Western Michigan University Aviation Advisory Board, most recently serving on the Emmett Township Board of Appeals, where he served for many years.
Aviation was a huge part of Sid’s life.
At the age 46 he became a private pilot and bought his beloved Cessna Cardinal. During this time, he received his instrument certification, but was well known for his ability to navigate by landmarks. He then joined the Civil Air Patrol and served as First Lieutenant, a position he was extremely proud of.
Sid went on to start a summer aviation camp that was developed to provide disadvantaged youth opportunities to learn about careers in the aviation industry. The program brought in many guest speakers that included Captain Perry Jones and other pilots from OBAP (Organization of Black Airline Pilots), along with Tuskegee Airman. Sid ran the program for 12 years until it was adopted by Western Michigan University, where it continues today.
Sid was the leading champion for aviation in Battle Creek and the State of Michigan.
He was appointed to the Michigan Aeronautics Commission, by then Governor John Engler and was reappointed by former Governor Jennifer Granholm. Sid served for eleven years (2001-2012), 2 years as Commission Vice Chair, and 3 years as Commission Chair.
At the advent of the personal computer, Sid jumped in and built his first computer.
He then worked with the Kellogg Company on a project that donated over 4,000 laptops and computers that he refurbished. This prompted a partnership with Paul Fedele, Computer Networking Instructor at the Calhoun Area Tech Center, working with students to teach them software and hardware skills. These computers were then donated to schools throughout Calhoun County.
Sid was an avid gardener who loved showing off his vegetables and popcorn (his pride and joy). He happily shared the “fruits” of his garden with family and friends.
Sid earned many awards and recognitions throughout his lifetime. He was named the Grand Marshal for the World’s Longest Breakfast Table. He also earned many accolades for his work in our community. Some of these included: the George Award, The Whitney Young Urban League Award, the National Technical Honor Society by the CATC, and Western Michigan University College of Aviation Wall of Honor, along with being a lifetime member of The American Legion.
The impact that Sid had on our community was immeasurable. He will be deeply missed by all of those who knew and loved him.
A celebration of life will be held at the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 with the interment to follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service, 269-788-9800. www.baxterfuneral.com
Memorial contributions may be made to: Remember A Vet, 5500 Armstrong Road, Battle Creek, MI 49037 or Western Michigan University College of Aviation, 237 Helmer Road North, Battle Creek, MI 49037.
Sid was a man of many hats…
He was the loving husband to his wife of 26 years, Janine Jacobsen Adams, and father to Phyllis Adams Gay, Rikki Adams and Laura Adams, grandfather to Moorea Adams and a special friend and mentor to Dawn Smith. Sid was previously married to Mary Norris (mother of Phyllis and Rikki) and N. June Kunner (mother of Laura).
Sid valued education, earning his bachelor’s degree from Alcorn State University, Alcorn, Mississippi. He taught at Western Michigan University and was a life-long learner. He never missed an opportunity to take classes, seminars and attend workshops. Sid was a self-taught man, learning upholstery and many others skills that he took with him to the Battle Creek VA Medical Center, where he worked for 34 years managing their rehabilitation department and passed them on to the veterans.
Giving back to his community was paramount to Sid as he was very involved in the leadership and economic development of the Battle Creek area. Throughout many years he served on the Board of Battle Creek Unlimited (a founding member, serving 25 years, may as chairman), the NAACP, the Urban League, Food Bank, Battle Creek Community Foundation, the Enquirer News Editorial Board, Battle Creek Executive Airport Advisory Board, Workforce Development Board, CATC, Western Michigan University Aviation Advisory Board, most recently serving on the Emmett Township Board of Appeals, where he served for many years.
Aviation was a huge part of Sid’s life.
At the age 46 he became a private pilot and bought his beloved Cessna Cardinal. During this time, he received his instrument certification, but was well known for his ability to navigate by landmarks. He then joined the Civil Air Patrol and served as First Lieutenant, a position he was extremely proud of.
Sid went on to start a summer aviation camp that was developed to provide disadvantaged youth opportunities to learn about careers in the aviation industry. The program brought in many guest speakers that included Captain Perry Jones and other pilots from OBAP (Organization of Black Airline Pilots), along with Tuskegee Airman. Sid ran the program for 12 years until it was adopted by Western Michigan University, where it continues today.
Sid was the leading champion for aviation in Battle Creek and the State of Michigan.
He was appointed to the Michigan Aeronautics Commission, by then Governor John Engler and was reappointed by former Governor Jennifer Granholm. Sid served for eleven years (2001-2012), 2 years as Commission Vice Chair, and 3 years as Commission Chair.
At the advent of the personal computer, Sid jumped in and built his first computer.
He then worked with the Kellogg Company on a project that donated over 4,000 laptops and computers that he refurbished. This prompted a partnership with Paul Fedele, Computer Networking Instructor at the Calhoun Area Tech Center, working with students to teach them software and hardware skills. These computers were then donated to schools throughout Calhoun County.
Sid was an avid gardener who loved showing off his vegetables and popcorn (his pride and joy). He happily shared the “fruits” of his garden with family and friends.
Sid earned many awards and recognitions throughout his lifetime. He was named the Grand Marshal for the World’s Longest Breakfast Table. He also earned many accolades for his work in our community. Some of these included: the George Award, The Whitney Young Urban League Award, the National Technical Honor Society by the CATC, and Western Michigan University College of Aviation Wall of Honor, along with being a lifetime member of The American Legion.
The impact that Sid had on our community was immeasurable. He will be deeply missed by all of those who knew and loved him.
A celebration of life will be held at the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 with the interment to follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service, 269-788-9800. www.baxterfuneral.com
Memorial contributions may be made to: Remember A Vet, 5500 Armstrong Road, Battle Creek, MI 49037 or Western Michigan University College of Aviation, 237 Helmer Road North, Battle Creek, MI 49037.